Tag Archives: Perseverance

“Timing, perseverance, and ten years of trying will eventually make you look like an overnight success.” – Biz Stone

I know every one of my readers has heard the statement: If it’s too good to be true; it isn’t. That’s what this quote tells me. Regardless of the field you pursue, there is one underlying truth–you won’t be great without putting in the hard work. There really is no substitute.

Another thing we need to do well with our pursuits is to have an underlying reason or passion for the pursuit. Perhaps you survived a disease and want to tell your story. Maybe you’ve seen the suffering of others and want to educate people so they can avoid the same fate. Whatever your reasoning, it must be something that wakes you up–really excites you.

I’m a really big Tim Ferris fan. The stuff he publishes is just so “common sense”. Why would you do something if you’re not interested in doing it?

Don’t get me wrong, there’s always that one thing we don’t like to do (clean the bathroom, do laundry, make the bed, etc.). What Tim is referring to is the stuff we really don’t have to do if we don’t want to. Why would you push yourself through a book that you just aren’t interested in? I used to do this a lot. I would start to read a book and for some reason, even after I’ve decided the story just isn’t there for me, I would continue to trudge through the book regardless because I wanted to finish what I started. No more.

This is just one small example of volunteering to be miserable. If the task you have to do isn’t super important or necessary, drop doing it, at least for today. Maybe tomorrow you’ll feel like doing it. Maybe not. Do the things you are passionate about.

On a side note, there will be things that you have to do that you may not like to do initially but grow on you over time. Exercise is one of them. Many people do not like exercising. They just don’t want to do it. This is one exception to the rule above–there will be things that are super important and necessary that you need to do. If you don’t like doing them, try to experiment with different ways you can do these things so you do like them. Maybe a small reward for yourself each time you hit the gym or do that task. Use your creativity.

“Look up at the stars and not down at your feet. Try to make sense of what you see, and wonder about what makes the universe exist. Be curious.” – Stephen Hawking

“Perseverance is not a long race; it is many short races one after the other.” – Walter Elliot

“If you can dream something, you can do it. As long as you do not align your actions with your dreams, you are not fulfilling your destiny.” – Harold Klemp – The Language of Soul

Today’s quotes are all about perseverance, curiosity, and following your dreams. I felt these would be good quotes to offer in front of the weekend when all of us have a little more time than the frantic weekdays.

This weekend, dream a little. Think about where you’d like to be. Think about where you’d like to go and do. Once you come up with these things—be, do, and go. Come up with a plan to achieve who you want to be, to do the things you want to do, and go the places you want to go. Once your plan is in place, keep going, using small little increments to get there. It’s just that simple.

“Success is not the key to happiness. Happiness is the key to success. If you love what you are doing, you will be successful.” – Albert Schweitzer

“Success is no accident. It is hard work, perseverance, learning, studying, sacrifice and most of all, love of what you are doing or learning to do.” – Pele

“Character cannot be developed in ease and quiet. Only through experience of trial and suffering can the soul be strengthened, ambition inspired, and success achieved.” – Helen Keller

Today’s theme is about success, started off by Albert Schweitzer. His suggestion is that success is only possible when you love what you are doing. This is true because if you love what you are doing, work will not be work to you, but play.

Pele concurs with Schweitzer but adds the hard work involved in being successful. These quotes support one another because the only ones that will persevere, learn, study, sacrifice and work hard are those that love what they are doing. It is impossible to be as successful at something if you do not love what you are doing.

Helen Keller rounds out our quotes today by addressing real wisdom. We never improve when things are easy–we only improve when things are tough–when we are being challenged–when we are down.

The people that impress me the most are those that are really going through it and still have a cheery disposition while refusing to quit. These people are the ones that grow, succeed, and push forward.